Chelsea skipper pays respect to former boss
John Terry believes Andre Villas-Boas deserves credit for what he started at Chelsea and says the players will not forget his vision for the club.
Villas-Boas reportedly did not enjoy the best of relationships with a number of senior players in the Stamford Bridge dressing room, but Terry insists that he had the utmost respect for the Portuguese and is still in touch with him.
The Blues skipper says he thought about Villas-Boas after the midweek victory over Napoli sealed a place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
"I'm still in contact with him - like a lot of players here - and probably will remain that way," Terry said.
"He won't be forgotten. It's disappointing, really, because we would have loved things to go on and he had a vision and a plan and, unfortunately, that gets cut short with disappointing performances from us.
"At the end of the day, we're the ones out there performing and we weren't performing as well as we could do."
Terry added: "Andre started something here and I think credit has to go for what he started.
"Unfortunately, the club made a tough decision, as they said, but the players, we don't forget what he started at this club."
Incredible
Terry failed to finish the game against Napoli after making a remarkable comeback from knee surgery, and he could be rested for Sunday's FA Cup tie at home to Leicester.
He said: "Just got a tweak in the calf at the weekend.
"It just seemed to tighten up and I had cramp in the other calf so I was like Douglas Bader at the end."
The victory over Napoli may have kept Chelsea's European dreams alive but they face a tough task to go all the way and lift the Champions League trophy.
Holders Barcelona remain the favourites to win again, while Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid have also been in magnificent form all season.
Chelsea may have to beat both teams to become champions but first they must face Benfica in the last eight, and Terry is confident his men can compete with anyone.
"I think Barca stand out from everyone but what Madrid have done this year in the league and what Jose has got them doing is incredible.
"But playing like we did against Napoli, I think any team would be sitting there and thinking, 'You know what? Chelsea have probably had a difficult season but I wouldn't fancy that'."
